Wild bees and honey bees are among the most important pollinators. Changes in land use and the deterioration of habitat quality are partly responsible for the decline in bee species numbers and abundance. Studies have shown that urban areas are playing an increasingly important role as partial refuges for many bee species. However, it is estimated that the supply of flowers in cities is insufficient to adequately provide for all pollinators. In places where large numbers of pollinators congregate, the demand for nectar and pollen must be met.
Bee-friendly spatial planning aims to enhance habitats in urban areas and minimise potential competition for food between pollinators.
The initial study aims to identify wild bee hotspots and, by enhancing habitats, reduce potential high overlap in the use of food resources by managed honey bees and wild bees. The inventory of wild bee hotspots is based on current literature and expert surveys. Vienna has a long tradition of apidology and is home to more than half of all Austrian wild bee species, including many rare species. The city therefore has a high responsibility to protect them.
Over the past six months, we have also been trying to determine where honeybee colonies are kept in Vienna. We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the Viennese beekeepers for their support. We are currently analysing the data. As this is a complex issue, the evaluation is also complicated. In the summer of 2024, we want to present the results to the City of Vienna and propose a catalogue of measures with practical solutions aimed at improving the situation for all bees.
We believe that realistic nature conservation measures for wild bees in urban areas require situation-specific bee-friendly spatial planning that prioritises improving habitat quality and reduces pressure on protected areas. We are committed to productive cooperation with beekeepers and a coexisting relationship between honey bees and wild bees that minimises conflicts.
The study is funded by MA7 and ends in summer 2024.
Lanner J, Unglaub P, Rohrbach C, Pachinger B, Roberts S, Kratschmer S. 2025. How many bees fit in the city? A spatial ecological case study to conserve urban wild bees. Urban Ecosystems 28, 21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-024-01666-3
Final report (German only):
Kratschmer S, Lanner J (2024) BeEcoVie: Initialstudie zur bienenökologischen Raumplanung in Wien. Endbericht. BOKU University, Wien. PDF herunterladen
Kratschmer S, Lanner J (2024) BeEcoVie: Initialstudie zur bienenökologischen Raumplanung in Wien. Endbericht − Anhänge. BOKU University, Wien. PDF herunterladen
